TUCSON, Ariz. — The Texas State softball program made it three consecutive wins over the last three days as the Bobcats knocked off Loyola-Chicago, 2-1, and North Dakota, 10-0, to begin the Wildcat Invitational Friday morning. 

Freshman right-hander Presley Glende (1-1) earned her first career collegiate win against the Ramblers, who she limited to just two hits in four innings. Glende also struck out one and walked one before giving way to Tori McCann and Karsen Pierce (S, 1) to close it out. 

Drawing her third start in her last three games, Samara Lagway stayed hot at the dish when she put the Bobcats ahead with a run-scoring single to bring Claire Ginder home in the bottom of the second inning. Anna Jones made it 2-0, Texas State, the following inning when she doubled home Kylie George.

A two-out fielding error in the top of the sixth allowed the lone Rambler to run to score. 

Less than an hour later, Jessica Mullins went to work in the circle against North Dakota. 

In five innings of work, the sophomore surrendered just one hit and issued only one walk, while striking out five. The Fighting Hawks' lone hit was a two-out single on a 2-2 pitch in the bottom of the fourth. The inning also featured North Dakota lone other baserunner when Mullins issued a leadoff walk. 

Offensively, Texas State provided Mullins all the run support she needed. 

Ginder started the outburst with a single to right field that scored Sara Vanderford in the top of the third. An inning later, a Dani Elder solo home run highlighted a three-run frame. 

The fireworks were on full display in the top of the fifth, when Texas State scored six runs on five hits and three North Dakota errors. The Bobcats even left the bases loaded when the inning concluded. 

Lagway recorded her second RBI on the afternoon, when she started the turnstile with a double to centerfield to plate Cat Crenek. Hannah Earls, who pinch ran for Lagway, scored on a fielding error, then Elder, who reached first base on said error, scored from third on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Caitlyn Rogers. 

Another North Dakota miscue — this time on a throwing error — allowed both George and Ciara Trahan to score, before Crenek wrapped up the inning with a run-scoring single to plate Anna Jones. 

UP NEXT

Texas State (9-5) will continue its three-day tilt in the Wildcat Invitational with a matchup against No. 9 Arizona (11-4) on Saturday, March 5 at 7 p.m. CT. 

For the latest information on the team, follow @TXStateSoftball on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. General athletic news can also be at @TxStateBobcats on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.